HBG ewsletter NSeptember 2004 NUMBER EIGHT Historic Buildings Group www.nhbg.fsnet.co.uk

(photo: A R Forrest) Members listening to Mike Knights talking at the AGM at Oulton Chapel, near Aylsham, about the chapel itself and Norfolk Historic Buildings Trust (see p.9).

Contents Brick in Eastern ...... 2 Oulton Chapel ...... 9 AGM—4 June 2004...... 17

Looking up at Diss ...... 3 The Dower House, Tacolneston...... 10 The Vernacular Architecture Group ....17

Ketteringham ...... 4 Wallpaper at Narborough Hall ...... 15 Letters...... 17-18

Little Walsingham...... 5 Book Recommendations...... 15 NHBG Committee June 2004...... 19

Ruminations at Godwick ...... 6 News and Views...... 16 NHBG Winter2004/05...... 20

The Old Hall, East ...... 8 Church Sub Group...... 16

Wattle & Daub/ Clay Lump Day...... 9 Membership...... 16

The Project...... 16 Here we are with the Autumn edition of the Newsletter and plenty to report and comment on. The summer programme of events and visits has gone forward very successfully with members visiting the historic towns of Diss and Little Walsingham and exploring some fascinating individual buildings which are not accessible to the public. I particularly recall two equally balmy evenings at Ketteringham and East Tuddenham, filled with exploration and lively debate, and not just from the ‘experts’. The Group owes a vote of thanks to Rosemary and her team for the smooth running of these adventures and of course to the owners of the houses, whose amazing generosity in letting us invade their privacy makes everything possible. Without their cooperation effectively our subject would not exist. As Adam Longcroft announced in the last Newsletter, he stood down as Chairman at the AGM and I was elected in his place: not an easy one to fill. Adam’s expertise and hard work have given the Group a terrific start and we are in a position to make a real contribution to the study of the buildings around us. Any serious organisation such as ours must pay attention to the twin commitments of teaching and research. The former is contained in the rich and varied winter programme published in this Newsletter and the latter is well under way with the work of the Churches study group and the approaching culmination of the New Buckenham Project (see page 19). The results of the dendro survey will be announced at the meeting in New Buckenham on the 24th September so do try to be there to celebrate or commiserate, depending on the outcome. The New Buckenham Project is the subject of the next edition of the Journal, to appear in Spring 2005. Most of the material for this has now been organised and the publication should give us a solid stepping-off point for the next phase of research, the wider picture of Norfolk buildings. Much of the research for this second phase is already in hand, so there is plenty of material waiting to be interpreted, and perhaps a further grant to finance more dendro. Of course, all this depends on the people who come forward to make it happen, and the expansion of the events organising teams has already paid off by reducing the pressure on individuals. The scheme for training building recorders has produced ‘The Tacolneston Four’, who are now ready to tackle almost anything and have already contributed to the surveys needed for the New Buckenham dendro project. The next programme of training starts at Tibenham Farm, Long Row, Tibenham on Tuesday 14th September, so if you missed the preliminary meeting at the Fenners’, phone Sue Brown on 01362 688362 and book your place. The range of human, historical and aesthetic interest to be found in Norfolk’s historic buildings continues to amaze me afresh and there is a lot of relatively unexplored territory to be looked at. It is a thrilling prospect. Michael Brown Woodlands, Park Norfolk NR20 4RL

C H A I R 01362 688362‚

Brick in Eastern England

George Fenner and Rosemary Forrest were well rewarded for eighteenth century. their excursion into Essex for a day school which was run by There was a wealth of information about brick manufacture Essex County Council and Essex Historic Buildings Group at from the clays, additions for colour and texture, firing methods Cressing Temple. It brought together seven speakers who ap- to an impressive demonstration of brick handling. The first proached the topic from aspects of distribution, development, bricks were large “two-handed” jobs but by the early fourteenth manufacture, and craftsmanship. century early ergonomic brickies had honed their skills and Speakers consistently warned about dating a building by developed a “single-handed” brick. brick size. It became clear that this is not an exact science. Whilst there were photographs of wonderful brick buildings, It was agreed that the Romans were the initiators of brick and attention was also drawn to alternative sources of evidence for that the Saxons and Normans reused many of their bricks. On the use and producers of brick: early building accounts, glebe the Continent brick use continued and was reintroduced here by terriers, estate accounts, wills, inventories, poll books. Flemish brickmakers in the thirteenth century; they again bol- An excellent bibliography of some 50 references was pro- stered production and skills in the late fifteenth/ early sixteenth vided. If anyone would like a copy, then do please contact Renaissance period. It was not until the seventeenth century George (01603 620690) or Rosemary (01603 742315). that bricks became more freely available. Then transport–first This conference provided a wide overview of brick history by waterways, turnpikes, canals, and then railways–and mecha- in the Eastern Counties. Just as importantly it created an op- nisation made bricks available to all.. One interesting research portunity to meet like-minded people and to share knowledge. topic was suggested regarding the proximity of brickworks Could the Group persuade to consider to turnpikes, canals and roads. The first users of brick were running similarly targeted gatherings with the emphasis on the wealthy church establishments and royal personages who buildings rather than conservation? passed the fashionable look of brick down to their wealthy court hangers-on, before its use reached humbler levels by the late

winter 2004•number eight• Looking up at Diss (O.E. ‘Ditch’ modified by the Normans to Diss) Bill English

David Summers, the architect, met us at the Saracen’s Head, buildings shone through at every turn in Diss. Sometimes he Mount Street (16th Century or earlier to Victorian, and may would gently challenge us, ‘What do you think of that building have housed the Wool Guild), in the centre of what was probably at the end of the street?’ Does he approve or disapprove? you Diss’s medieval wool trade district. The large Perpendicular hurriedly think, mild panic in danger of skewing your judge- parish church next door may owe its size to the wealth generated ment. I managed to pass each test, I hope more by judgement by this industry. The significance of Diss is evident because it than luck. Two examples: the Corn Hall, (massive Victorian had more medieval guilds than comparable Norfolk towns. Mr scale, commanding pillars), bad; and the modern building ap- Summers urged us to spend our day in Diss looking up at the pearing to block off the end of Mere Street, good. higher parts of buildings fully to appreciate the enormous variety Finally, any visitor cannot miss the extraordinary lake, The of detail in and around windows, doors and gables. Mere, in the centre of Diss (said to be the second deepest lake in England and soon to be the subject of a university geological study). On a sunny day the mixture of old and new buildings round much of The Mere gives Diss an almost Riviera atmos- phere. 2004 is the 500th anniversary of the arrival of John Skelton in Diss. He was court poet to Henry VII, satirist and tutor to Prince Henry (later VIII). The town is part way through a year long Skelton Festival which is commendably wide and varied in its scope. Diss is a lively and interesting ancient town battling to Mitred corner reconcile its narrow streets joint probably and ancient buildings with from the late the 21st Century, and on fifteenth century balance succeeding. (cf C Hewitt, Manor House, Mount Street English Historic Carpentry, Phil- limore, 1980, p 277) At the same time he encouraged us to look at the whole streetscape, how buildings fit in and complement each other or, sadly, in some cases don’t. Where there are gaps (demoli- tion, bad planning) he hopes to find visual links in the modern replacements so that a “missing tooth” effect is ameliorated. He Carved corner argues that a beautiful and large residential building like The posts; one in Georgian Manor House (Flemish bond) should keep its large juxta-position garden, not fall prey to in-filling or other development. Houses with the nine- like these need space round them, even if it’s not for public ac- teenth century cess. He’s talking about spirit of place. This great respect for door case the ordinary vision and craftsmanship of our ancestors clearly means a lot to David Summers. Where he sees good modern design which is sympathetic to older buildings in the same street, he stops and comments, explaining how good modern architecture can span the centuries and achieve this unity; for example, new sheltered housing next to The Saracen’s Head. In Mount Street, the pedestrianised Mere Street and Den- mark Street, members spotted and discussed exterior details of buildings and theorised as to function and developmental The Saracen’s Head PH, Mount Street: early 17th century roll sequence. As a new member I was impressed by the spirit of moulding/Dragon beam, banisters which have dried out, like bow detached enquiry and fascinating conclusions reached by mem- legs, showing they were made ‘in the green’. The newel post has a bers, particularly inside The Saracen’s Head, at Fayre View the chamfer and nick tea shop and restaurant on Fair Green and also at a more modest house at the top of Mount Street. A vocabulary wholly new to me emerged, eg., rat trap bonding, a mansard roof, lamb’s tongue ogee, apotropaic marks, gambrel roofs, bressumer, and Can anyone tell us why this hum- a butterfly roof. ble range of buildings merits six Mr Summers’ love for and appreciation of elegant and honest conspicuous brick stacks?

winter 2004•number eight• NHBG Visit Ketteringham on Friday 30th April 2004 Robert Limmer

spite of its impressive size and the fact that in 1607 there were 107 acres of land that went with it. Another feature of the building that was the subject of much discussion was the first floor passageway on the east side. This appeared to negate the large east window and did appear to be an insertion rather than a part of the original construction. The original door opening in this wall, now blocked, looked to be a similar date to the likely date of the building itself. It must have been inserted very soon after the house was built. The purchaser of the property in 1607 was Sir John Heveningham Knt. bring- ing the property into the Ketteringham Hall estate. This could account for a significant change of status comparatively early in the history of the building. We then visited the church, noting the vicarage adjoin- ing the north Ketteringham Hall Farm House Stair tower. Photo: Robert Limmer) side of the The visit started with a detailed study of the southern end of church yard. Hall Farm House by kind permission of Jill Golzen, who is a The building member of the group. This is a building of impressive size is compara- and is now two houses. It boasts an impressive stair tower on tively plain the east side. with an unbut- The ownership of this property has been researched by Char- tressed square lotte Barringer but the actual date of construction of the present tower rebuilt building has not been found in the records. The house belonged in 1609, and to the impropriate rectory that had been in the possession of the a single roof, Prior of Pentney before the dissolution. The fact that the rec- the nave and tory was in the village along with the vicarage made this parish the chan-cel being the same Norman masonry and blocked windows. somewhat unusual. A study of the building shows that the walls (photo: Karen Mackie) are entirely of brick and not a wood frame bricked over. The width. Inside bricks had been dated by Alan Carter as between 1570 and 1600. it is more in- This dating appears to be confirmed by the change of ownership teresting for in 1607 at which time the house was described as “the capital its memorials, for which Alayne presented a short history. messuage of brick”. An earlier building, old enough to require These memorials told a lot about the richer inhabitants. There replacement, is unlikely to have been built of brick. was the Rector who was at war with the Squire at the hall and The roof construction, no longer visible, is a common rafter a curious connection with the French Revolution, an attempt to type. This type of construction, if original, would be signifi- save the life of Marie Antoinette. Probably the highlight - we cantly earlier than the brick dating. However, it is reported that lead sad lives - was the opening of the Mausoleum to look at the carpenter’s marks in the roof do not match, indicating that the the only two coffins ever placed in the building. Most of the roof timbers were reused from an earlier building. One notable family preferred to be buried just outside. feature of the building is the virtual absence of carving on the The visit was rounded off by returning to Hall Farm for woodwork that would be expected in a building of this size and some welcome drinks and nibbles and a lively discussion of date. It does not appear to have been a high status dwelling in our observations. New Buckenham Dendrochronological Survey [Sponsored by a grant from Awards for All (Lottery Grants for Local Groups)] Public Lecture on Friday 24 September 2004 Results of Survey Ian Tyers, Sheffield University

New Buckenham Village Hall, Moat Lane, New Buckenham 7.00 for 7.30 pm FREE ADMISSION (For further information contact: Susan Brown 01362 688362)

winter 2004•number eight• Little Walsingham Les Scott

My first visit with NHBG, sitting in the Sue Ryder tea shop try- ing to remember introductions to more experienced members. I am quickly spotted as a green recruit and before I can say ‘Pevsner’ I have been asked to write an account of the visit. Scilla Landale starts the day off with a general introduction to the town. The original Saxon village grew as a direct result (b) of the building of a chapel by Richeldis of Fervaques, in the 11th Century, modelled on the house in Nazareth where the Annunciation took place. Since when, pilgrims have provided a good living for hostelries and shops. Our group then formed an orderly crocodile to wind its way (a) through the narrow passages of the pilgrim accommodation above the tea shop. Little snatches of timber framing in each tiny room were pieced together to give an overall picture. (c) A short walk along the main narrow road into Walsingham and we gathered among the flint ruins of the Friary. The ruins were impressive but the most frequently overheard questions concerned the curiously varying levels and lack of archaeologi- cal digging on the site. An excellent buffet lunch followed at the Black Lion, one of the oldest houses in Walsingham, then a quick visit to other medieval properties in the High Street. Richeldis House stands at the end; originally built with open shop windows with ac- (d) commodation above, it has been renovated to provide modern pilgrims with accommodation. Once again two orderly croco- diles wound their way round narrow passages. A magnificent dragon beam caused a buzz and Napoleonic wall paintings in one room raised more questions than answers. Pausing only to look at the conduit with a brazier on top, lit for special events, the group packed into the old Shirehall/Court- house. Converted from the fifteenth century Priory’s Pilgrim hostel in 1778, it established Walsingham as an administrative centre. As soon as members of the group had found their natural places, either in the judges’ seats or accused, Scilla led forth (e) with some extracts of original cases. The last visit of the day, and for me the highlight, we found ourselves back where we started forming an orderly queue to visit tiny cells and narrow passageways but this time the doors all had locks on the outside and weren’t for pilgrims. The House of Correction, built in 1787 on a John Howard model design, is a gem, preserved in its original state.

(a) No 20 High Street: Crown Post roof to a medieval hall house which has a late Georgian facade (b) Early stone corbel on a timber framed house in the High Street (c) Medieval doorway tucked away in a back yard (d) High Street looking towards Common Place: fifteenth (f) to eighteenth century facades (e) Methodist Chapel: late eighteenth century (f) Franciscan Friary founded in 1347: viewed from fifteenth century cloister (g) Dragon beam in Richeldis House: early sixteenth century (cf Visit to Diss for a moulded Dragon Beam) (h) Richeldis House: medieval shop front with jetty. The Dragon beam (g) is in the first floor room.

(photos: AR and RA Forrest) (g) (h)

winter 2004•number eight• Ruminations at Godwick Anthony Rossi

(These notes are the result of a cursory study of the interesting accidental result of deterioration. The beam braces, which sit barn at Godwick Hall as part of an evening visit. They are strictly against wall posts supported by built in timber corbels, are also E and OE, and the building would repay proper recording. The relatively small and the hammerbeams rather short, resulting hall itself - and indeed the village - are no more but the barn is in comparatively small widely spaced queen posts. The trusses intact, albeit with alterations.) also have collars at high level There is no differentiation of truss design or spacing (as at Paston and Waxham respectively) on The barn stood at right angles to the north front of the hall, account of the threshing doors. The pitch of the roof suggests which was in existence before 1596, and is probably of similar that it was originally thatched. The west slope is now shingled, date. It has a polite false front to the hall and a working back, with altered eaves - does this alteration conceal cut back first somewhat after the manner of the much larger barn at Waxham floor pediments, as at Thorpe Hall near and matching and the east wing at Blickling. Its roof has 10 bays with alter- that in the north gable? nating tie beam and hammerbeam queen post trusses similar to Internally the two north bays have first and second floor those at Waxham of c1570 and Paston of 1581. structures, timber framed partitioning, and a dog-leg stair in the The west, polite, elevation was almost symmetrical, origi- north-east corner. There is similar partitioning within the fifth nally with a row of five brick three-light mullion and transome truss from the north. The latter along with its lath and plaster is windows at the upper level and four at the lower, all once almost certainly an insertion and its purpose is unclear. Some stuccoed, with quoins, and the lower openings at least with at least of the subsidiary structures at the north end however pediments. The southern pair of windows has been bricked over appear original and quite likely to have formed domestic accom- but fragments are visible, and the other openings are blocked modation with access through the blocked north-west doorway with brick. At the north end is a domestic scale doorway, also (which is opposite the staircase, whose lowest flight has steps pedimented and blocked, with the plinth stopped on each side formed from solid baulks of timber), and natural lighting from of it; there seems never to have been a repeat of this at the subsequently blocked windows. The extent to which window south end since the plinth runs through. There is an additional blockings generally are original is not at present clear; the lack mullioned and transome pedimented window at the upper level of glazing grooves in the brick mullions is not conclusive as on the north end elevation; below it modern sliding doors have grooves could have been formed in the stucco. It is also unclear been inserted and the gable above is a later re-building includ- whether the stucco was moulded, the structure beneath being of ing some tumbled brickwork, so earlier structural evidence has unmoulded brick capped with tile (cf Thorpe Hall where this been obliterated technique is found alongside moulded brick). There is an inserted wide doorway, with segmental arch, on A further alteration is an inserted first floor at the south end the west side, opposite an original large opening, with chamfered of the barn; this has since been removed but cut off joist ends surround and stopped plinth, in the centre of the east wall, oc- on built in softwood plates survive along with one end of a cupying two roof bays. There is no trace of a window pediment central spine beam. above the inserted arch and it seems possible that the opening replaced a domestic scale doorway with a lower pediment like that at the north end. This would have echoed the arrangement at Paston where small doorways survive opposite the thresh- ing doors, while the alteration echoes that at Waxham, with the higher original threshing doors accommodating a loaded cart which could then exit through the lower opening on the far side. Apart from the threshing doors the east side and south end appear to have had ventilation loops only. These are mildly cruciform and now mostly blocked. There were at least three in the south end, and one to each bay on the east, excepting the two threshing door bays and two more at the north end which were blank Here there is evidence of an inserted doorway and a low roofed later outbuilding, now replaced by a much larger modern annexe encapsulating most of the east side. There are clearly defined changes in brickwork colour, particularly on the west, but these appear generally to be indi- cations of seasonal working and differential firing rather than structural alteration. The roof has eleven trusses, and three purlins in each slope Each bay has six common rafters, tenoned above and below the larger centre purlin and passing over the smaller intermediate ones. There are small wind braces at high level, somewhat randomly spaced. A closer inspection would reveal whether the arrangement is deliberate or, as seems more likely, the

winter 2004•number eight• winter 2004•number eight• The Old Hall, East Tuddenham Lynn Biggs

We gathered, a group of thirty on a balmy evening in the work- holes which do not appear in the equivalent in C, indicating a shop where Grahame Clarke displays his delightful range of different build date. blue and white porcelain, in an outbuilding of the former farm From this evidence, a possible development could be as of Old Hall, East Tuddenham, which Grahame and his wife follows. The original L-shaped build in early sixteenth century Christine had kindly invited us to look around. I have been (C + B + A) with a porch on the outside and stack between C studying and researching the house for my UEA Landscape and B. In early seventeenth century bay C was rebuilt, B and Archaeology Diploma and had reached a point where the fresh C extended north to line of A, north façade built, stack removed sets of eyes and opinions of the keen members of the group might at ground level and new one built at north end of C and south hopefully give me some pointers towards solving the enigma of façade of A added. The interior was ‘improved’ to seventeenth the development of this charming but baffling house. century fashion to give separate reception hall and dining room At first sight the building is Tudor brick-built in an offset as well as parlour and kitchen. There are rumours that an impres- sive seventeenth century staircase was subsequently removed to Elveden Hall. The West wing is another enigma, as externally its decoration shows a high status house, while its interior is practically unim- proved since the seventeenth century. A blocked original door at X may have been a screens passage entrance and there is evi- dence of a former stack at the south end. Some plaster covered brick mullioned windows remain at first floor level and in the lobby joining the two wings. In the butt-clasped purlin roof the a r r a n g e m e n t of purlins indi- cates a possible former dormer window above the old entrance. We were told of former dove- (photo: Ian Hinton) L shape, strongly hinting that two buildings have been joined. cote holes in Approaching from the north the current façade is an imposing the brick south end of the roof. The ground floor external SW but not visually satisfying row of three crow stepped gables with corner of the building is chamfered, perhaps to allow easy ac- a variety of non-symmetrical windows. Only on viewing from cess for farm vehicles round a tight corner. The floor of the the south the imposing porch and decorative brick door and south bay is sloped and drained for dairy use, and extra joists window mouldings do we realise that the house was designed at odd angles indicate strengthening of the upper floor perhaps to front onto what was Tuddenham’s Great Common. for grain storage. The oldest features we found inside were impressive roll- A possible scenario is that it was built in mid sixteenth moulded joists in the core (B) of the mainly Victorian interior century as a separate high-status house, perhaps a dower house. of the north wing and dating from the early sixteenth century. When the north wing house was extended and gentrified in the The early yellow gault bricks on the south wall of this wing are seventeenth century, this house was joined to it and its rooms probably of the original build ( and may well have come from the relegated to service and farm use. In 1913 sales particulars pond in the garden) and interestingly continue westwards along they are described as such. The 1839 tithe map shows the bay C which, judging by the roof structure, is later (seventeenth southernmost bay (dairy) as being in agricultural rather than century). Also seventeenth century is the extension northwards domestic use. of bays B and C along with the crow-stepped north façade. The group, though perhaps initially uncomfortable to be There was much debate as to whether bay A is also a later presented with a brick-built rather than the usual timber framed addition or was part of the original build as a crosswing. Inter- building, found plenty of interest in this house, with its variety nal joists have been boxed in but are visible outside on the east of internal and external decoration, and the unspoiled west wing. wall, which is of the same yellow gault as the south side of B The key to the house’s history lies, I think, in a combination of and C. The south façade of A is later brick, but Michael Brown evidence from the roof timbers and from the brickwork. (Any pointed out that the gable form is very sixteenth century. Up in brick experts out there?) My thanks to all for their advice and the roof (where the group seemed much more at home among opinions, you will be acknowledged in my dissertation! A big the timbers), the puzzle began to clear. The timbers of roof A thank you to Grahame and Christine Clarke for their hospitality are cut by those of B, indicating an earlier or contemporary and for their sensitive custodianship of this fascinating house. build. The roof of C is a continuation of B, but Vic Nierop- Reading pointed out that certain timbers of B contain peg

winter 2004•number eight• Wattle and Daub/ Clay Lump Day Roger Crouch

On one of the sunniest days of an otherwise inclement summer Timber frame showing the square ten members joined Richard Hyde and Dirk Bouwens in a field panels used commonly in UK on at Redhill. During the morning session Richard took half the the left. The thinner panels used in on the right. group through the technicalities of wattle and daub and Dirk Applying render to wattle and urged the other half of the group to rebuild the wall of his shed daub panel; clay pargetting at- using his speciality, clay lump. tempts, after final render Using his mobile ‘timber frame’, Richard demonstrated two Richard Hyde admiring wattle types of panelling, the longer, thinner panels of East Anglia us- and daub panel. NB only vertical wattle used, tied to horizontal ing only vertical wattles tied to horizontal ledges and the more ledges–East Anglian method commonly used ‘square’ panels used by furriners in other parts – where vertical wattles are interwoven with horizontal laths. After enthusing about the chalky boulder clay of the region being ideal for daub, we were given insights into the art of daub including a menu for the daub mix, a drop test for daub consistency, a thumb test for daub hardness prior to rendering and many other tips. For the fastidious the hand application of daub containing bovine slurry may not seem an ideal recrea- tional pastime. The afternoon saw the two groups change tasks, and Dirk im- parted his knowledge of the superior art of clay lump to former daubers (it should be noted that there was never any danger of our two mentors agreeing on the methods used - reinforcing my impression that not only do materials and methods change from area to area but also change from person to person). To prepare a clay lump mix was almost identical to daub –the mix was then packed into a wetted wooden mould and after extrusion and drying this would become one of the modular ‘8 brick’ clay lumps weighing 25 Kg. when dry. Using previously prepared lumps a 5ft section of shed wall was replaced up to the wall plate utilising the same lump mix for the mortar. In both methods daubing or lumping the final stage is the Karen Mackie showing Dirk Bou- application of the render, using the same daub mix minus the wens how to ‘butter’ clay lump; bovine slurry. This final render can be enhanced by clay parget- Dirk turned up to lay final clay lump after students had rebuilt ting to improve the status of the building. wall; On behalf of all participants I thank Richard and Dirk not Dirk applying render to clay only for an informative but also for an enjoyable and entertain- lump. Note how skilfully repaired ing day. wall is contoured for authenticity; Master builders and Dirk posing in front of their handiwork. (Photos: Roger Crouch)

Oulton Chapel Mike Knights June 5 2004

Our AGM was held on a sunny June afternoon in idyllic sur- There was a very good turn-out of members and we piled roundings at Oulton Chapel. Tucked away several turnings in to hear Mike Knights tell us about the work of the Norfolk beyond Blickling, this perfect little brick building, built between Historic Buildings Trust which had brought this gem back to 1728-31, double-pile, with four curly Dutch gables, glowed in life in 1991. Eighteen other projects have been completed by the the sun. Dissenters’ chapels were often built in remote parts of trust since 1977 and its involvement with many other neglected the parish away from the parish church. It stands in what was buildings has also stimulated owners to repair properties or sell once a sandpit, at the top of a grassy slope, backed by a bank them to new owners. of trees, with its associated manse- a simple three-bay cottage After the AGM we partook of a splendid tea (meringues of 1784 – down by the lane in front. and scones!) on the lawn all of which rounded off a memorable Inside was all cool pale green elegance, with panelling, gal- afternoon. lery, benches and a high pulpit. At the back was another meeting room, a very well-equipped kitchen and loos. (AGM Report on page 17 )

winter 2004•number eight• The Dower House, 62 Norwich Road, Tacolneston, Norfolk (TM 143945)

This is the report and drawings of a member’s house which has been the subject of the latest training exercise (advanced) of the Group and will be the subject of one of the talks at the members’ evening in October. You should note that the aim has been to produce a serious piece of research as well as refining the recorders’ skills. This will not be the last you hear of this house and its Tacolneston neighbours! MB

This house is rendered under Present stair trap a pantiled roof with a ‘wrap- Í around’ chimney stack (recently re-pointed) to the east end (Fig. 1). There are three storeys and three windows can be seen in the chim- ney end. There are two attic gable windows and one mid-storey stair window all with chamfered brick Kitchen Extension surrounds (see Wilderness Farm Wacton). It is situated to the east of the Norwich Road in a small close. The track was formerly an access road to the common land to the south of the house. The present front door is in the south elevation (Figs. 2 & 3) and this opens into a cross-passage; the north door is infilled. The cross passage cross-passage has two service doorways to the west and a close one inch flat, a 3/8 inch concave, a shallow one inch roll, then studded, fully framed, screen to the east dividing the passage the concave and flat. There are plaster fillets closing the gaps from the Hall (Fig 4A). There is a large section central post between the screen studs to the soffit of the ceiling. Number 8 between the service doors and parts of the sill are still evident. stud from the south in the screen has peg holes and a mortice, At ceiling level the common joists are laid flat and are pegged purpose unknown. through the chamfered edge of the transverse principal joist. The service rooms have an axial joist, with mortices in the The screen is built of small section timber with small fixing soffit for studs, tenoned to the large storey posts (Fig. 1). The pegs (Fig. 4B). The lintel above the off-set doorway and the post to the west has roughly cut square indentations for the six inch central rail are both decorated on the hall side with a wattle fixings of the partition. The common joists have centre tenons and are laid flat. The west wall has a series of chiselled carpenter’s assembly marks; the top of the girt to the studs above seem to be numbered from the south and the studs on the ground floor are numbered to the sill (Fig 5). The studs on the Figure 4A north side of the west wall are very weathered which probably reflects the use of the room as a dairy or brewhouse or similar use involving water or steam. There are very large peg holes on this wall, probably for shelving. One stud with its large peg holes also has a trench for a brace; it is also slightly narrower than the other studs: is this a reused timber? (Fig. 5) To the north of this stud is an opening that was the doorway into the kitchen extension. There was a frieze window in the north wall; there are small peg holes for the mullions which are probably hollow chamfered and glazed as in the Hall. The south window, now a smaller modern window, was Figure 4B originally a large oriel window. The oriel windows have no pegs for any mullions. The scribed carpenter’s assembly marks on the south wall studs are a con- tinuation of the sequence seen in the Hall. There is a stairtrap to the north with the trimmer pegged to the ceiling joists . The present stair rises to the partition

winter 2004•number eight•10 Figure 2 South Hall Long Section (Roof taken through apex)

Figure 3 North Wall Long Section (Roof taken through apex)

Dower House (Photo M Brown) nhbg•spring 2004•number seven•11 the structure (Fig 6D). The lower rail is finished with a slight chamfer and a lamb’s tongue stop (Fig. 6C). This seems to indicate a different carpenter and perhaps a later date than the main house. The roof chamber of the western extension is seen from the north service chamber. This has an ovolo mullion window in the west gable. There are side purlins clasped by the col- lars, west end in situ, east end replaced by elbow pieces to a higher collar to give access from the service chamber. There is a triangular ridge-piece and the roof is not tied to the main building (Fig 6B). This extension was originally one and a half storeys with a large pegged ceiling clamp (peg holes seen just below present ceiling)(Figs 6A & B). There is now a void below the floor of the roof chamber. It is likely that the original chamber was Figure 5 accessed from the extension and there may be evidence of the stairs in the north wall from missing clamp peg holes in the wall, which cannot be its original position as it cuts through a eastern studs. brace (Fig 6C). It is likely that the service chamber access was In the Hall there is a transverse principal joist with a deep in this area but its exact position cannot be determined. chamfer and step shield stops (Figs 8D). This rests on decora- There are two service chambers (Figs. 2 & 3). The first floor tive ledges formed on the storey posts by two tiered chamfers. partition is less closely studded than the ground floor partition and has the addition of trenched inverted arch braces to the sto-

rey posts. The straight lintels over the doorways have scribed carpenter’s marks IO & IIO. The two original doors, which each consist of four reed-edged boards, are hung on pintles (Fig. 7). The jowls on the posts are long and straight and the tie-beam has chamfers with step shield stops. The chambers have frieze windows, north wall and south wall, with small peg holes for the mullions, probably hollow chamfered. The south window has a shutter groove. Each corner post has inverted arch braces to both elevations. The upper north studs and girt have a series of carpenter’s assembly marks I to VII starting on the first stud to the west. The western extension, originally accessed from the north service room through the apparently later doorway, is a small timber-framed building of approximately the same date as the main house, now used as the kitchen (Fig 6C). At ground-floor level it has a window to the west and running around the wall at waist height is a sturdy double rail, one rail trenched and both rails pegged to the studs and evidently an integral part of

Figure 7 Original door

winter 2004•number eight•12 A B the first stud next the the Hall screen XXVIII on the last stud to the east (Fig 2). The two XXs and the V overlap each other and the cross-passage is not numbered. The fire-place to the east has a wide very shallow four- centred brick arch, with chamfered edges from one foot above floor level and no metal bar (Fig 9). There is some evidence of ruddle on some of the bricks and some original pointing, though more recent re-pointing and repair has to an extent covered this. The brickwork of the side supporting walls is of C alternate rows of stretchers and headers (three in a row, two D on the arch). The corner sections are interesting, apparently moulded in one curved piece with mock ‘pointing’ scratched and painted into them. There is a doorhead to the north of the stack leading to an alcove. There is a six-panelled door to the south of the stack opening onto the stair. The stair has thick oak treads and a full height stair mast. The fireplace on the first floor has a similar but narrower brick arch (Fig 9). The chimney tie-beam and supporting storey posts are Figure 8 A—D Details

The large section common joists are plain and laid flat with diminished haunch soffit tenons. In the north wall to the west of the principal joist there is a complete hollow chamfered ovolo mullion frieze window. There is a carpenter’s mark II at the west end of the sill. To the east of the principal joist there is evidence for large oriel windows in both the north and south walls measuring five feet one inch from the soffit of the girt to the soffit of the sill. The north window has a carpenter’s mark IIII at the east end of the sill and on the stud. There is a series of scratch/scribed carpenter’s assembly marks in the base of the studs to the sole plate on both walls. The north wall marks run from west to east; I to VII in the service room chamber (with closer studing below) & XX to the east of the principal post to XXVIII on the last stud to the east (Fig 3). On the south wall they have a C tag with I to V in the service room and XXII on

east end first floor attic stair door from west

Figure 10

both chamfered. There is a five-panelled door with cockspur hinges to the north of the stack (see alcove above) leading to a small chamber with a north window and an inside doorhandle; this may be for a garderobe or a close-stool chamber (Fig 10). To the south of the stack are two five-panelled doors giving access to the upper and lower stairs. The hall chamber now has a partition under the tie-beam but was originally a single room. In both the north and the south wallplates there is an edge-halved and bridled scarf joint nine inches long (Fig 8C). In the north wall there is a sill for a frieze window (now blocked) with its peg hole evidence for the mullions. There is a carpenter’s mark IIII at the west end Figure 9 Cross Section showing fireplaces of the sill. To the east of the tie-beam in both elevations are

winter 2004•number eight•13 large oriel windows above the hall oriel windows below. The gable ends as against the one of the Dower House, and it retains north oriel window has a carpenter’s mark II on the west end an unheated central Hall (with an unheated chamber off the origi- of the sill and the west stud (Fig 3). The doorpost to the south nal corridor above) with the opposed entries of a cross-passage of the chimney has three circles inscribed on it which may be in both the Hall and the eastern room either side of a partition. apotropaic marks. The kitchen extension to the Manor House, though not of the The attic is reached from the Hall chamber doorway. The same design, has a similar relationship to the main house, though roof has in-line butt purlins in two tiers with collars clasped by the brick gable evidently precluded placing it at the end, so it the upper tier (Figs 2, 3 & 6B). The rafters are halved at the is to the side. In both cases the upper floor access is through a ridge and they are pegged to the upper and lower purlins. The later, improvised entrance as if the same mistake about access principal rafters are diminished above the upper purlin and there from below had been made in both cases, a further argument is a simple scarf joint behind the south principal rafter (number that the houses were both built at the same time. Both houses II) (Fig 8A & B). There are double pegged arched wind braces combine archaic features such as the cross-passage, flat laid to each side of the principal rafters except at the chimney end common joists and plain shield chamfer stops with the latest in (Figs 2 & 3). Here the lower purlin is not in line but below the glazed windows, winder stairs, panelled doors and two-tier butt main purlin level and there is a single pegged purlin in the wind- purlin roofs with evidence of original dormer windows. Given brace position (Fig 2). The principal rafter and the soffit of the that they were clearly built at the same time, and evidently by collar are chisel numbered with I at the east end (Fig 3). There the same carpenter, the difference in their plans must imply are intermediate collars (which may be original) birdsmouthed different purposes, so the condensed plan of the Dower House onto the upper purlin. The present dormer window has large could be evidence of that very function, giving surprising ap- mortices for an earlier dormer roof in the rafters either side. propriateness to the modern name. There is evidence for an original dormer ‘cut-out’ in the lower purlin (as seen in Burrage House & The Old Post-Office, New Susan & Michael Brown with contributions from Buckenham). At the west end the last rafter and the wallplate Mary Ash, Diana Maywhort, Jill Napier & Sue Shand. extend outside the gable wall to take the roof (Figs 2 & 3). Woodlands, Bylaugh Park, Norfolk NR20 4RL 01362 688362 Interpretation

‘The Dower House’ seems to be almost complete as it was built. Of high quality timber throughout (with the exception of the one re-used stud in the kitchen), it has a uniformity of design which suggests that it was built as a single concept. The Recorders’ Key design features discussed above suggest a late sixteenth century Surveyed by: M. Ash, S. & M. Brown, D. Maywhort, J. Napier & S. Shand date and its accommodation, with a hall-cum-parlour, may lend some credibility to its name. Drawn By: The Dower House must be compared with the Manor House Figure 1 Ground Floor Plan Jill Napier Scale 1/4” to 1” on A 3 Figure 2 South Wall Long Section Sue Shand Scale 1/4” to 1” on A 3 which stands within a hundred yards. The two houses share Figure 3 North Wall Long Section Diana Maywhort Scale 1/4” to 1” on A 3 Figure 4 Cross Passage Mary Ash Scale 1/4” to 1” on A 3 every detail of their carpentry from the design and execution of Figure 5 West End from East Susan Brown Scale 1/4” to 1” on A 3 such large features as roof, floors and windows down to the style Figure 6 Service Room Susan Brown Scale 1/4” to 1” on A 3 Figure 7 North Service Chamber Door Susan Brown Scale 1” to 1’ on A3 of carpenter’s marks, the mouldings on the doors and the profile Figure 8 Details Susan Brown Scale 1” to 1’ on A3 Figure 9 Section: Fireplaces Mary Ash Scale 1/4” to 1” on A 3 of the storey post brackets. They differ significantly however Figure 10 Attic Stair Door Susan Brown Scale 1” to 1’ on A3 in that the Manor House has two identical ‘wrap around’ brick

Glossary Frieze window: Small, high, untransomed window (M Wood, The English Medieval House (1990), p 358 Oriel window: projecting and resting on brackets (CBA Practical Handbook in Archaeology No 5, (1996)) Ruddle: red ochre (Chambers English Dictionary) Gambrel Roof: has a small change of pitch in the middle of the roof slope, usually constructed with a shaped principal Mansard Roof: is similar in form though differently constructed. It generally has hipped ends and a larger change of pitch; the term (named after François Mansard) is usually restricted to polite architecture (Vernacular Architecture 22 (1991), 24) Dragon Beam: beam running diagonally across the ceiling of a room to support jetties on two adjacent sides of an upper floor, or, in the upper floor of a building with a hipped roof, to carry the foot of a hip rafter (CBA Practical Handbook in Archaeology No 5, (1996))

Michael Brown insisted that we include this picture of the Tacolnes- ton group hard at work to redress the balance of the bibulous scene in the last Newsletter

winter 2004•number eight•14 Wallpaper at Narborough Hall Sue Brown

Occasionally Michael and I are asked to look at houses that Christine Woods, curator of wallpaper, at the Whitworth Art Gal- cannot be considered vernacular but have elements of timber- lery, Manchester. She confirmed my thoughts and sent several faming (usually the roof) that owners want explained. This was other references and photocopies which I was able to pass on the case when we were invited to go to Narborough Hall. The to the owners. Obviously conservation is a specialist field and original brick house was built by the Spelman family in the whether more less damaged pieces survive is unknown. What sixteenth century and this was enlarged by two wings in the this paper does give us is a confirmation of the date of the re- eighteenth century. Most of the roof structure is of butt purlins building as this paper was probably purchased to adorn their new with shaved tenons. This form seems to begin at the turn of the rooms and the ‘left-overs’ used at a later date in the attics. sixteenth/seventeenth century and continues for a long period. Above the early south front the roof survives in its original form of high arch braces to an upper collar (not visible) and large section windbraces to butt purlins. The principal rafters have scribed carpenter’s assembly marks (numbered from the west)

Book Recommendations Dennis Hardy & Colin Ward, Arcadia for All: The Legacy of a Makeshift Landscape (Five Leaves, 2004) John McCann, Clay & Cob Buildings (Revised edn., Shire, 2004) Anthony Quiney, Town Houses of Medieval Britain (Yale University Press, 2003) Christopher Powell, Discovering Cottage Archi- High arch braces to an upper collar and large section windbraces to tecture (Revised edn. Shire, 2003) butt purlins. (photo: Michael Brown) Anna Hallett, Almshouses (Shire, 2004) and some of the braces have large angled peg holes, probably Peter Guillery, The Small House in Eighteenth- for raising the trusses into position. This gives us the order of Century London (Yale University Press, 2004) assembly of the roof. In carrying out some plastering in the attics the tradesman John & Pamela McCann, The Dovecotes of His- had exposed several fragments of wallpaper. There were some torical Somerset (Somerset Vernacular Build- small pieces of Gothic, Pugin-style, papers and a larger fragment ings Research Group, 2003) of what I thought might be ‘pillar & arch’ of about 1760, block N A Brown, Doocots (Dovecots) printed in black, white and brown on a grey ground. This is a of Scotland: Moray (Scottish very rare survival and I found illustrations of it in ‘The Papered Wall’, Ed. Lesley Hoskins, Thames & Hudson, 1994, p 115; Vernacular Buildings Working Timothy Johnson’s House, North Andover, Massachusetts, and Group, 2004) Shire Album 276 ‘Wallpaper’ by Clare Taylor, page 8; Ancient High House, Stafford. Consequently I sent the photograph to HELP RE- QUIRED… Is there a member who would like to become involved with publicity for the Group? If you could help, please contact: Rosemary Forrest 01603 7423145

nhbg•spring 2004•number seven•15 News and Views Membership The most popular leisure pursuit in Britain (so we are told) is the guided tour - visiting stately homes. This is certainly borne Membership levels remain buoyant, close to last year’s maxi- out by the summer programmes of several local societies, mum figure of around 220. ourselves included, and although admittedly not all the homes Standing Order levels are slightly up, and the Committee could be said to be stately, they are usually beautiful and always would like to thank those who have converted to paying this of great interest. way as it reduces the administrative effort considerably. However a recent evening meeting brought home to me Ian Hinton the unique quality of a NHBG visit: the analytical approach to 01502 475287 the building, and the general participation by our experts and e.mail: [email protected] greenhorns alike in wrestling with the many problems of the construction that it might present. Of course there was also the very agreeable social side as The New Buckenham Project well, the drinks and nibbles and chat, but the building was the centrepiece. The object of the exercise was to train our eyes – to look closely at things. The recording teams are trained this way, to record every feature they see down to the tiniest mark, the slight- est change of colour. This is intended to assist in the drawing up process when things are more likely to make sense when they are all put together, and (it is hoped) daylight will dawn. On this occasion we were let loose inside without being told what was known about the house, so we had no pre-conceived ideas. We trooped up and down and sideways; there were many rooms, it was very complicated (especially the roof) so it took a long time. Finally we assembled on the lawn at the back and in the We have now looked at all the historic houses in New Bucken- ensuing very lively discussion many suggestions were made ham to which access is possible and our reports have been put and many opinions aired about the relationship of the interior into a form ready to go into the next Journal, due out in Spring of the house to the exterior before us, and the possible phases 2005. Paul Rutledge has contributed digests of his exhaustive of the building. There were arguments, even between the ex- documentary information and Adam Longcroft is waiting, with perts. No definite solution was actually offered, but it was all word-processor poised, to pull it all together when the final piece extremely stimulating and hugely enjoyable. A member was of the jigsaw arrives from Ian Tyers, the dendrochronologist. heard to observe as, still arguing, we started for home – ‘it’s Ian spent four days in the village in May, loyally assisted so much better than just being led around…’ by us, taking cores from the timbers of several houses which It has been a good summer. he judged to have a chance of yielding useful information (see Alayne Fenner, Newsletter Editor photo above: M. Brown). The problem in New Buckenham is 13 Heigham Grove that most of the houses seem to date from the sixteenth century, Norwich NR2 3DQ and it seems that at that time the building timber in New Buck- 01603 620 630 enham was fast-grown and used young, so having relatively few [email protected] growth rings to provide the statistical comparison necessary for dating. The fifteenth century and the seventeenth century buildings seemed more promising and the Old Vicarage seemed XXXX Church Sub Group XXXX most promising of all. Ian will be announcing his results at the meeting in New Buckenham on 24th September, so be there if you possibly can (see page 4). The committee is currently discussing a project for the record- Whatever the outcome of the dendro, even if it is negative, ing of aspects of Norfolk church architecture and investigating we can make use of the information it provides about the build- whether particular work or styles can be linked to individual ings and their relation to the social and economic conditions masons. The size and complexity of what we undertake will de- experienced by those who built and lived in them. This will be pend on how many members are interested in getting involved. the subject of the 2005 Journal and it should constitute a useful If you are interested in discussing details or finding out more contribution to Norfolk studies as well as providing the basis for about the project, contact the further study of the range of Norfolk buildings in general. Ian Hinton on Firm information about New Buckenham buildings will enable 01502 475287 or at [email protected]. us to evaluate other buildings in and relate them meaningfully to the relatively well-studied buildings of North If enough members are interested, a get-together will be ar- Suffolk. Then the rest of Norfolk awaits! ranged to refine and explain the project. Susan & Michael Brown 01362 688362 XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX winter 2004•number eight•16 AGM—4 June 2004 The Vernacular Architecture Group (The V.A.G.) Chairman’s Report Adam, who is stepping down as Chairman, reported on a year of significant achievements: membership has stabilised at around One of the favourite debating topics of enthusiasts for historic 200, our finances are healthy and will allow an ambitious pro- buildings is the question of what is meant by ‘vernacular’ in this gramme of events. context and it is one that is never fully resolved, given the vari- The first NHBG Journal appeared in March and was very ables of region, historic periods and socio-economic conditions well received, the winter lectures were well attended and the involved. Fortunately we in the NHBG don’t need to solve the summer events over-subscribed. puzzle since we are not a purely vernacular buildings group, but We have received the Lottery grant of £5,000 which has al- are prepared to investigate any building in its historic aspect. In lowed for dendro. tests on 8-10 houses in New Buckenham to practice though we do spend much of our time in the everyday take place, and a £375 grant from the Scole Committee to buy buildings of ordinary people, this being the field which seems building recording equipment for the recording team. Adam to have had least systematic attention in the past. We have this thanked the committee for all their hard work and wished the focus in common with a number of other local historic build- new chairman every success. ings groups throughout the country and the national forum for the subject is provided by the V.A.G. It was formed in 1952, Treasurer’s Report when the focus of most architectural history was still very much on polite architecture as opposed to vernacular. The N.H.B.G. Sue Shand reported that the financial state of the group and our sister groups in Essex and Suffolk are continuing the remained strong. Surplus for the year was almost £1,200. Bank tradition. The V.A.G. encourages communication between its account balance was £3,267.27 at 31 March, plus the Lottery members by arranging conferences in the spring and winter and Grant of £5,000. The accounts were with the Accountant. publishes its annual journal. This incorporates all the dendro dates which have been published each year, an invaluable re- Amendments to the Constitution source for us, and includes articles which often set the agenda The offices of Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer and for the next stage of the subject. Anyone who is interested in Membership Secretary to be held for four years and then to be vernacular architecture may join the V.A.G. and the N.H.B.G. available for election, in turn, annually. Not more than 10 or- is an affiliated society. (Two members from the N.H.B.G. may dinary Committee members to be elected annually. Committee apply for places at the conferences but individual members take members not attending 50% of Committee meetings may not priority if they are over-booked). The annual subscription is £20 be eligible for re-election. per annum for individuals and members of the same household may pay £30 for a joint subscription, and this includes the annual Election of Officers Journal. See the bookstall at our meetings for a membership application form if you are interested. Michael Brown was nominated as Chairman by the Com- Michael Brown mittee and elected by the meeting. He expressed his enthusiasm for the work of the Group which has enormous potential to contribute to the understanding of the historic buildings of the county. The new committee is listed on page 19.

Great Hospital Visit from Susan Stanley, Norwich Letters Dear Rosemary Just a note to say thank you very much for organising Satur- day’s tour of the Great Hospital with Carole Rawcliffe. It was a thoroughly enjoyable - and informative - visit, and I have rarely known two hours to pass so quickly. Carole really brought the There has been a gratifying response to Sue Brown’s request buildings and times to life, and I know I was not the only person for information about skirting boards made from tiles. Richard who would have been happy to spend even longer there. Berry reports a strange 21-inch section of concrete-like skirt- (See Newsletter No 6 for first visit by Group. AF) ing between two perfectly conventional sections of wooden skirting in the side hall of his 1840s house, possibly a repair of some sort post WWII, when it was not possible to get matching From Elphin Watkin, Essex wooden skirting. Tom Coke, Pat Reynolds, and Brenda Watkin have also sent In response to the article by Ian Hinton on Godwick Barn: the most interesting pieces on the subject (see page 18) conclusion states that the building was apparently not built as In Amsterdam recently I was climbing the steep winding a threshing barn as originally there was only one large door (at stair to the attic of Rembrandt’s house, and as the floor reached the back). There really only needs to be one large door to bring eye level I noted that the landing had blue-and-white Delft tiles in the sheaves if the entry, and exit, can be gained through the as skirting. Alayne Fenner, Editor same door. In this case, with the prestigious west elevation, one

nhbg•spring 2004•number seven•17 can only assume that egress toward the Hall was not welcome. surface, to receive the tiles bedded in mortar not jointed but So, if threshing was to be carried out on the midstrey area, swum in with neat cement of a fluid consistency, the excess a cross draught could be provided from a small door. There being immediately cleaned off and the tiles rubbed dry. The are numerous examples that prove this point. The Vernacular Porch and Hall to be paved with Maws red, black and buff 6” Architecture Group’s Spring Conference 2004 took us to the square seconds tiles 1/2” thick according to the detail drawing. York Moors and Wolds where there were many examples of All plastered walls upon paved floors to have 6” x 3” Maws plain barns with small doors, and we must remember that the large 1/2” red flooring tiles as skirting set upright flush in cement.” farm wagon is a comparatively late form of transport. So why Further on in the specification when describing red deal batten was it not possible that the opposing door to the large door on floors he makes mention that all of the tile skirting have 1 1/4” the eastern side was in fact similar to that surviving on the left x 3/4” chamfered fillet to cover joint of plaster. Previously at hand side as shown in the photograph? The pedimented head Heydour in Lincolnshire, 1856–7, the skirting tiles were to be to the door, being lower than those of the windows, would then Minton 6” x 3” border tiles, plain red and flush with the plaster. have been completely lost in the later alterations. I do not think that the tiles that Sue found had anything to do with preventing ingress of damp but were tiled skirting to go with previously tiled walls. The use of tiles on the floors also Ian Hinton replies (to Elphin Watkins comments): merits a tiled skirting rather than the chamfered or moulded timber specified with timber floors. Elphin’s point was brought home to those of us who visited Godwick barn in June (see page 6). The wind, although fairly light, whistled through the opening across the threshing floor Skirting Tiles and would probably have been able to winnow gold! Tom Coke , Holkham White Tile Skirting …I have exactly the same tiles in my farmhouse, Waterden from Brenda Watkin, Essex Farm, which is a typical redbrick Georgian farmhouse on the Holkham Estate (close to South Creake), which Pevsner dated In the course of my research into the Victorian architect William to round 1800, but I believe that part of the house dates from White (1825–1900), I have consulted many of his specifications the eighteenth century. Although I cannot recall seeing them in for parsonages and private houses. Unfortunately, Sue does not any other Holkham Estate farmhouses, I know that we do have say in which room the white tile skirting was found but there a small supply of them in our stores. are various examples of white wall tiles and matching skirtings With regard to the questions that you pose, I’m afraid that I being used in the service areas of the house and in particular the am none the wiser as to what their original use was; all I know kitchen and scullery. Unfortunately I have not been able to find is that they are extremely robust when having to deal with my a reference to white tiles in any of the W. White specifications, children’s toys! I have not measured them but I would imagine but here is an extract from his specification for Holy Trinity that they are the same size as the ones you described, i.e. eleven Parsonage, Halstead, Essex (see below). The date on the draw- inches by eight inches. I hope this is of some help to you, and ings for the parsonage is July 6th, 1853 with the specification maybe one day I will get to meet you on one of your tours, dated the following day, and this without the use of CD systems although I have to say with a young family and living at one or word processors! end of Norfolk, I don’t often get to go on them. On the ground floor the study, guest room and dining room were to be floored with old ship oak sleepers 4 1/2” x 3”, fir Tile Skirting Boards joists 4” x 2 1/4”, yellow deal batten floor boards ploughed from Pat Reynolds, Ash Vale and tongued with splayed headings and mitred at angles. This would then have left the hall, passages, kitchen, scullery, pan- Dear Sue try and other small service rooms to be filed to the enclosed In the seventeenth century Delft tiles were used as skirting specification. boards to prevent the distempered walls from being wetted by In the new parsonage house at Milcombe, Oxon., February the wet-moppping of floors–I wonder whether your pub floor- 28th, 1861, the instruction is that “…all floors intended to be board tiles had a similar function? paved to be properly prepared, levelled and well rammed a two inch bed of concrete floated and brought to a perfectly even

William White specification for Holy Trinity Parsonage, Halstead (1853) referred to by Brenda Watkin

winter 2004•number eight•18 NHBG Committee June 2004 Courses & Conferences

Michael Brown Chairman UEA organised: ‘Woodlands’, Bylaugh Park, E NR20 4RL Certificate in Continuing Education Tel: 01362 688 362 [h] 1. Architectural History from Pre-history George Fenner Vice Chairman to the Gothic 13 Heigham Grove, Norwich NR2 3DQ Course Director: Vic Nierop-Reading Tel: 01603 620 690 [h] e.mail: [email protected] 2. Medieval Art and Architecture Course Director: Margaret Forrester Sue Shand Treasurer Tibenham Farm, Long Row, Tibenham, Norwich NR16 1PD details: (Tel 01603 592261; Tel: 01379 677677 [h] e.mail: [email protected]) e.mail: [email protected] Ian Hinton Membership Secretary Other Courses Old Rectory, Barnby, Beccles, NR34 7QN 1. History and Architecture of the English Tel: 01502 475 287 [h] Parish Church e.mail: [email protected] 2. Gothic Architecture Rosemary Forrest Events Secretary Tutor: Gerald Randall 3 Highlands, Costessey, Norwich NR8 5EA Venues: Cromer and Fakenham Tel: 01603 742 315 [h] details: (Tel: 01263 822170 e.mail: shering- e.mail: [email protected] [email protected]) details (Tel: 01328 851223, e.mail: fakenham. Lynn Biggs Committee Secretary [email protected]). 415 Unthank Road, Norwich NR4 7QB Contemporary Architecture Tel: 01603 452141 Tutor: Vic Nierop-Reading e.mail: [email protected] Venue: Fakenham Sue Brown Recording details: (Tel: 01328 851223; e.mail: fakenham. ‘Woodlands’, Bylaugh Park, E Dereham NR20 4RL [email protected]). Tel: 01362 688 362 [h] Vernacular Architecture of East Anglia Alayne Fenner Newsletter Venue: Reepham 13 Heigham Grove, Norwich NR2 3DQ Tutor: Vic Nierop-Reading Tel: 01603 620 690 [h] details: (Tel: 01603 870483; e.mail: [email protected] e.mail: [email protected]) Adam Longcroft Editorial Centre for Continuing Education, UEA, Norwich, NR4 7TJ Tel: 01603 592 261 [w] e.mail: [email protected] England’s Seaside Architecture: Victor Morgan Editorial Old Workhouse, 120 Aylsham Road, Oulton NR11 6NP Foundation for Future Prosperity Tel: 01263 734721 [h] A three-day Conference e.mail: [email protected] 29-31 October, 2004 Richard Coulton West Norfolk Cromer, Norfolk Little Ketlam, Low Rd, Pentney, King’s Lynn PE32 1JF Tel: 01553 691 661 [h] Organised by the Centre for Regional Studies, An- Paul Rutledge Documents glia Polytechnic University and Cromer Preserva- The Pleasance, Queen Street, New Buckenham NR16 2AL tion Society in Conjuction with DC Tel: 01953 860372 (h) 12 speakers, including Dr Mark Girouard, from e.mail: [email protected] English Heritage, academia, Pier Society, 20th C Mary Ash Winter Events Society; Guided walk; discussions cover past and 107 St Leonards Road, Norwich, NR1 4JF future. Tel: 01603 452141 (h) Details: Tony Kirby: 01223 363271 Ex 2030 e.mail: [email protected] e.mail: [email protected] Karen Mackie Summer Events Special price for NHBG members: £25.00 44 Norwich Road, Tacolneston, NR16 1BY Tel: 01508 488467 (h) e.mail: [email protected]

nhbg•spring 2004•number seven•19 NHBG Winter 2004/05 It is hard to believe that another Winter Programme is upon us. Please do look carefully at the dates and locations. Many of our speakers will be coming from out of the County and we have, therefore, tried to accommodate them. For this reason, there will be no Aperitifs. The joint meeting this season will be with the newly formed Breckland Society when Tom Williamson will be addressing us. I do hope you will support this meeting; the Society are interested in recording buildings and NHBG have offered their expertise. The Group is anxiously awaiting the New Buckenham Dendro results so again we hope many of you will visit this fascinating planned town on Friday 24 September. Our members’ evening will be well worth attending. Remember: admission is free to members but non-members are most welcome for a £2.00 fee. If any member has difficulty getting to meetings, please let me know. Many thanks to Mary Ash who has done the hard work of organising the lectures. I would also like to thank Adam Longcroft who, in the last three years, has frequently been at the end of hysterical e.mails to which he always responded with precision and alacrity… If you have any ideas for speakers in the future, or any other comments, do please let me know. Rosemary Forrest tel: 01603 742315 e.mail: [email protected]

New Buckenham Dendrochronology Results Medieval Gildhalls …Leigh Alston Party at George and Alayne Fenner’s house in Norwich on 5 February 2005 …Ian Tyers Date: Monday, 29 November 2004 Date: Friday, 24 September 2004 Time: 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm Details in the January letter Time: 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm Place: Elizabeth Fry Building, Place: New Buckenham Village Hall, University of East Anglia, off Joint meeting with Moat Lane, New Buckenham B1108 Watton Road, Norwich The Breckland Society This will be Ian’s second lecture in New Leigh Altson is a well-known figure in the Buckenham. Core samples have been world of Vernacular Architecture. He is Great Estates of Nineteenth Century taken from buildings and it is hoped that an architectural historian of some years’ Breckland …Tom Williamson these will provide definite dating evidence. standing whose base is in Suffolk. He This evidence will be used in conjunction has also lectured on UEA courses and Date: Saturday 19 February 2005 with documentary work by Paul Rutledge works for English Heritage. Gildhalls Time: 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm and building surveys by the Group to es- were a feature of medieval life and early Place: The Houghton Centre, South tablish a base for future work in Norfolk. documents make many references to them. Pickenham, nr Watton They can also be the grandest of buildings Directions: (1) Signposted off the Members’ Evening or the simplest depending upon the wealth B1077 -Ashill of the gild. Leigh would be interested to Road. Date: Wednesday 20 October 2004 hear of Norfolk examples. (2) A47 from east, take the Time: 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm turning to N. Pickenham and Place: Elizabeth Fry Building, Lime …Michael Wingate then S. Pickenham. Signs on this road but not the A.47. University of East Anglia, off Date: Wednesday, 15 December B1108 Watton Road, Norwich 2004 Tom Williamson will need little introduc- Dower House, Tacolneston Time: 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm tion to Norfolk landscape historians. The …Tacolneston Recording Team Place: Elizabeth Fry Building, subject will provide a broad base high- University of East Anglia, off lighting the change in land use, economy, and buildings in this little appreciated area You will have read the report of this team B1108 Watton Road, Norwich of the County. in this Newsletter. The team will be talk- Michael Wingate is a member of English ing of their findings and experiences, as Heritage for the Eastern Region. He has From East Anglia to New England recorders and owner, in uncovering the a wide knowledge of lime and its uses and structure of this classic timber-framed is the author of books and pamphlets on …Lawrence Butler building. the subject.. Date: Saturday 19 March 2005 Time: 2.00 pm for 2.30 pm Chestnut Cottage, Forncett End Medieval Shops …David Clark Place: Thoresby College, South …Karen Mackie Date: Friday 28 January 2005 Quay, King’s Lynn Time: 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm Directions: Once in King’s Lynn follow Place: Elizabeth Fry Building, signs to the Youth Hostel University of East Anglia, off Parking: Parking at the south end of From Vinyl Wallpaper to Medieval Hovel B1108 Watton Road, Norwich South Quay or usually avail- able along the quayside itself …Anna Kettle David is a Course Director for Oxford Recording Update …The Browns University Cert in Vernacular Architec- It is hoped that this topic will widen our ture and a leading member of VAG. He horizons. This contribution comes from has made the study of Medieval shops his an experienced buildings’ inspector. speciality. winter 2004•number eight•20